La paz: Bolivia's new center-right government, led by President Rodrigo Paz who recently won the elections, has announced the removal of visa requirements for citizens of the US and Israel. This significant policy shift is expected to enhance international travel and tourism for the South American nation.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Bolivian Foreign Ministry has lifted the visa obligation for visitors from several countries, notably the US and Israel, along with South Korea, South Africa, Latvia, Estonia, and Romania. This move is part of a broader strategy to boost tourism and international relations.

Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo stated on Monday that they anticipate generating at least $320 million in revenue from tourism between 2026 and 2029 as a result of this policy change. Aramayo highlighted that the visa requirement, which had been enforced since 2008 for tourists from multiple countries, was originally based on both 'economic' and 'ideological' considerations.

President Rodrigo Paz remarked that Bolivia had lost more than $80 million in potential revenue due to the existing visa policy. The visa requirements for US citizens were first introduced in 2007 during the presidency of former Bolivian President Evo Morales and were later extended to Israeli citizens in 2014. This new policy represents a departure from the previous administration's stance and aims to foster greater international engagement and economic growth.